Education and Starting Early with Learning!

I always wonder what are the best ways to present education to my kids. Learning is an intricate part of my life since I was a little girl and I would love to pass on the gift of education to my daughter. I know not all parents agree with me and that is fine, but to me, starting to learn at a very early age is crucial. Kids can learn all different ways but the most important facet is to make it fun.

We started with Hayley at 8 months by beginning with sign language. At about a year, we started going over letters and numbers. I would sit with her for about 20 minutes each night to find a fun way to incooperate the love of education to her. We went through many rounds of going over Elmo flashcards and then moved on to Dora flashcards (once her love for Elmo dissipated).

I continue to work with Hayley each night to this day. Pretty soon, I am going to start with Zane. Two main forms of learning we use today are provided by two excellent childhood learning companies: Learning Company workbooksand Leap Frog Dvds.

1. The Learning Company workbooks we received were the Learning with Curious George-Preschool Reading and Reader Rabbit- Let’s Learn Kindergarten Reading. While we are somewhat young for the kindergarden reading, Hayley is having a blast with the Curious George- preschool reading workbook. Each page in the notebook addresses all the letters and various ways to incooperate the letters. In one page, you will be asked to fill in the missing letter in the ABC order and in the next you are asked to help George out by drawing the lines between the letters in ABC order. Each page is bright and easily adaptable for young children to learn the letters. As you get later on in the book, the child can help in a fun way with early writing skills. It is truly an adorable workbook that has gotten a lot of use in my family. Each night, we set a small amount of time to go through the workbook. Hayley gets so excited to pull out George and have fun! After all, learning is all about fun!

I can also attest that not all workbooks provide the same type of quality learning that the Learning Company workbooks provide. Some workbooks really frustrate Hayley and as a result, I end up getting frustrated. When we are going through these workbooks, she very rarely gets frustrated. These workbooks provide a positive experience for Hayley’s learning.

The Learning Company is backed by the most trusted name in educational publishing and designed by professional educators to meet curriculum standards. Each of the exciting workbooks feature highly engaging games, easy access to download or print the workbook from anywhere, personalized certificates to present to your child upon completion of the workbook, and special support for guiding your child through the workbooks. They simply make learning fun!!

The Learning Company workbooks also come with great online applications such as supplemental online activities as well as the certificates, that I mentioned previously. You can purchase these wonderful workbooks at Amazon for $5.99.

2. Leap Frogis a child staple of learning in many families. We used Leap Frog products from the time Hayley was born and will continue to use it till she outgrows it (which won’t be for MANY years). We previously have many Leap Frog products including My Pal Scout, Tag Jr., and Leapster to name a small few. Each product has helped Hayley and now Zane grow leaps and bound!

I really had no idea Leap Frog made DVD’s till we received a few to review. I have to say I am completely thrilled with the idea of learning by way of DVD. Most 3 year olds enjoy television and although some shows are educational, there are quite a few that are not. When we got the Leap Frog DVDs, we received the 3 DVD Learning Collection which came with the Amazing Alphabet Amusement Park, Learn to Read at the Storybook Factory, and Number Ahoy. Also included in this package was a fun filled adventure book to help teach kids consonants and short vowels. Each of the DVD’s runs approximately 35 minutes which is perfect for a small kids entertainment. All of these DVD’s are for the 2-7 years age range and incooperate learning topics such as early reading skills, school skills, and mathematic skills.

We also received the Scout and Friends Phonics Farm which is the all new DVD that involves the alphabet, phonic skills, and animals. Scout is a childhood name in my family so to see him teach via DVD was amazing! In this DVD, Hayley joined Scout and his friends as she learned the letter sounds with the help of his amazing animal friends. This DVD had fabulous sing-alongs, the adorable “Being a Puppy” music video, the Surprise for Scout storybook, and the Sing with US band.

It is truly amazing what an attention span Hayley has watching these DVD’s. I really love the fact that she is learning but probably not even realizing it! I also love that each DVD is tailored to a specific learning lesson. I can assure you that your child will learn and have fun in the process. Hayley always asks me for more when it ends. I most certainly oblige!

For those interested in purchasing the 3 DVD Learning Collection, you can buy it here: Amazon for $25.00. The Scout and Friends Phonics Farm can be seen Amazon for $12.99.

HAPPY LEARNING!!

*I received these products for reviewing purposes. All my opinions are my own and not swayed by outside sources.

I'm at this point as well that I want to try to in corporate the learning into fun things. Mickey does counting on his shows, but I want something that does letters. We used to watch Super Why and Word World, but hes not interested in those anymore. I guess I could try again since its been a while since we've watched them.

I think it's awesome and inspiring that you've been working with Hayley so often. And starting Zane too.It is amazing what children can grasp and learn at such a young age. I feel like they absorb it easier and they're so willing and eager "to know."You always incorporate such fun educational books and toys in their lives – it's great, Melissa!!

Thanks for the post! My mom is a former teacher and she would love to hear about these. She's been working with my son since he was 6 months, he is 8 months now, and we would love to get him on the fast track of learning

I love the learning company books and find them to be a very helpful tool when incorporating learning in with fun play in my home. I haven't yet checked out the Leap Pad products but will definitely do so soon.

We will only put on educational programs. I do not like programs that don't teach something!! I didn't know LeapFrog made DVD's either. Too bad I didn't read this before my Christmas shopping was done. We have a 3rd birthday in March and a 1st Birthday in April so I will keep them in mind!